Daphne &#39;MonMkie&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Daphne  cultivar named ‘MonMkie’ is disclosed, characterized by variegated leaves with a distinctive wide yellow to yellow-white margin. Foliage is distinctively oblanceolate and broader than typical for species. The new cultivar is a  Daphne , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Daphne burkwoodii.

Variety denomination: ‘MONMKIE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a chance discovery in a commercial setting by the inventor. In 2006, the inventor, Cesar Velazquez discovered an interesting single branch mutation in a commercial planting of the unpatented parent variety Daphne burkwoodii ‘Carol Mackie’. This single branch mutation was discovered at a commercial nursery in Dayton, Oreg.

During 2006 the inventor propagated the interesting mutation by semi-hardwood cuttings at the commercial nursery in Dayton, Oreg. The initial propagation showed the mutation to be stable and additional generations were propagated, also by semi-hardwood cuttings. Approximately 5 generations have been reproduced since 2006, and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘MonMkie’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MonMkie’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘MonMkie’ as a new and distinct Daphne cultivar:

-   -   1. Variegated leaves with a wide, light yellow to yellow-white         margin.     -   2. Variegation begins yellow, turning yellow-white with         maturity.     -   3. Abundant small flowers.     -   4. Foliage oblanceolate and broader than typical for species.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MonMkie’ are similar to plants of the parent; Daphne burkwoodii ‘Carol Mackie’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MonMkie’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety produce foliage with a         significantly wider yellow to creamy white margin.     -   2. Plants of the new variety produce wider foliage than the         parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘MonMkie’ can be compared to the commercial variety Daphne burkwoodii ‘Somerset’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘MonMkie’ are similar to plants of ‘Somerset’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MonMkie’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety produce foliage with a wide yellow         to creamy white margin. Plants of this comparator produce solid         green foliage.     -   2. Plants of the new variety produce wider foliage than this         comparator variety.     -   3. Plants of the new variety are denser and bushier than plants         of this comparator.

‘MonMkie’ can be compared to the commercial variety Daphne burkwoodii ‘Brigg's Moonlight’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘MonMkie’ are similar to plants of ‘Somerset’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MonMkie’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety produce foliage with a wide yellow         to creamy white margin. Plants of this comparator produce light         yellow foliage with a green margin.     -   2. Plants of the new variety produce wider foliage than this         comparator variety.     -   3. Plants of the new variety are much denser and bushier than         plants of this comparator.     -   4. Plants of the new variety are more tolerant of poor soil         conditions than plants of this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical young plant of ‘MonMkie’ grown outdoors in Oregon. The plant is approximately 6 months old, and is planted in a 3 inch pot. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘MonMkie’ plants grown outdoors in Dayton, Oreg. Plants are approximately 2 years old, in a 3 gallon nursery container. Temperatures ranged from −8° C. to 20° C. at night to 5° C. to 35° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Daphne burkwoodii ‘MonMkie’. -   Propagation: -   Time to rooting: Approximately 4 to 8 weeks at approximately 20° C.     to 30° C. from semi-hardwood cuttings. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous young roots. Older roots becoming     woody. -   Plant: -   Growth habit: Upright and outwardly spreading shrub. Moderately     dense. Semi-evergreen. -   Height: Approximately 55 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 70 cm. -   Branching characteristics: Above average branching for a Daphne,     average 5 to 6 main branches, angled approximately 45 to 70 degrees     on average. -   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 15 cm. -   Diameter of lateral branches: Average range 0.8 cm to 1.2 cm. -   Lateral branch strength: Very strong, with some flexibility. -   Lateral branch color: Young branches near RHS Yellow-Green 144A,     flushed Greyed-Purple 187A. Mature branches: Near RHS Grey-Brown     199B heavily flushed Greyed-Purple N186A. -   Other stem or plant characteristics: No pubescence or lenticels     observed. Texture moderately rough and striated. -   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Average 14 to 18. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years. -   Foliage: -   Leaf:     -   -   Type.—Simple.         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Average length.—Approximately 8.5 to 9.5 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate.         -   Apex.—Mucronate when young, becoming acute with maturity.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Attachment.—Sessile.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Aspect.—Undulating to slightly twisted.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 0.6 to 1.5 cm.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Center near RHS Green 137A.             Margin near Yellow 8D. Margin width ranges from             approximately 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm wide. Young foliage under             side: Center near RHS Green 137A. Margin near Yellow 8D.             Margin width ranges from approximately 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm             wide. Mature foliage upper side: Center near RHS Green 137A.             Margin near Yellow-White 158B. Margin width ranges from             approximately 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm wide. Mature foliage under             side: Center near RHS Green 137C. Margin near Yellow-White             158B. Margin width ranges from approximately 0.5 cm to 1.0             cm wide.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Vein             color indistinguishable from color of foliage blade.             Venation color under side: Mid vein near Yellow 8C. Lateral             veins indistinguishable from foliage blade. -   Petiole: Not present, sessile. -   Flower: -   Bloom period:     -   -   Natural season.—January to March. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Arrangement.—Single trumpet shaped flowers, composed of             petaloid sepals clustered in terminal heads. Corolla not             present. -   Other characteristics: -   Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor     resistant to normal diseases and pests of Daphne. -   Drought tolerance: Some drought tolerance. Plants will not wilt or     suffer significant damage if regular supplemental waterings are     missed. -   Low temperature tolerance: Hardy to −20° C. -   High temperature tolerance: High temperature tolerance is not     exactly known. Tolerates at least 33° C. -   Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Daphne plant named ‘MonMkie’ as herein illustrated and described. 